Records of archdeacons and archdeaconries
Introduction
Archdeaconries within the Diocese of Durham
Contents
Related material (held by Durham University Library)
Related material (elsewhere)
Catalogue
Reference code: GB-0033-DDR/A
Title: Records of archdeacons and archdeaconries
Dates of creation: 1600-1997
Extent: 6 metres
Held by: Durham University Library, Archives and Special Collections
Origination: Records created by archdeacons serving within the diocese of Durham
Language: English and Latin

Archdeaconries within the Diocese of Durham

Background essays on the administration of the diocese of Durham generally, and on the classes of records covered within this catalogue, are in the separate guide, Administrative Histories for the Durham Diocesan Records. General bibliographies are also within the same guide, and omitted from this catalogue except for editions of specific records.

Contents

Records of archdeacons and archdeaconries of the diocese of Durham, 1600-1997, chiefly consisting of records relating to archidiaconal visitations, admittances of churchwardens and inductions of the clergy.
Of especial interest among the archidiaconal visitation records are the visitation correction books, and the various articles of enquiry and surveys relating to church fabrics and furnishings. Recent visitation articles concentrate more on pastoral concerns. Among the visitation material there are also examples of some charges delivered by archdeacons and a significant run of material relating to the appointments of churchwardens.

Accession details

Earlier items have been deposited by the Diocesan Registry, with more recent items (chiefly visitation records) being deposited by the offices of the archdeacons themselves. A few items have been deposited by the Bishop's chaplain or secretary (based in the Bishop's Office). Full accession information will be added to the internal version of the detailed catalogue.

Conditions of access

Items under 30 years old may only be produced if a reader has obtained permission to see them from the depositor (most often the Durham Diocesan Registrar or her/his representative), except for items in the public domain which are made available with no closure period. Longer closure periods apply for certain classes of documents, e.g. personal files are closed for up to 100 years from the date of the latest item in the file. Details are given within this catalogue: unless otherwise stated, a 30 year closure applies.

Copyright and copying

Permission to make any published use of material from the collection must be sought in advance from the Sub-Librarian, Special Collections (e-mail PG.Library@durham.ac.uk) and, where appropriate, from the copyright owner. The Library will assist where possible with identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material

Accruals

Small amounts of material are typically received every 2-3 years from the archdeacons' offices.

Related material (held by Durham University Library)

Other sections of the Durham Diocesan Records with archidiaconal material are as follows:
DDR/BP/DIO/4/1-3Annual conference of bishop, archdeacons and rural deans at Auckland Castle, 1883-1939
DDR/BP/DIO/6Senior staff meetings, 1968-2001
DDR/EV/RET/2/1-4Clergy episcopal visitation returns, bound in with an incomplete set of archidiaconal and officialty visitation returns for 1791-1792

Clavering of Greencroft MSS (CLV)
CLV 462: visitation injunctions from Samuel Dickens, archdeacon of Durham, to the churchwardens of Durham St Giles, 23 July 1763
CLV 465, 467, 469: parochial correspondence of John Sharp, archdeacon of Northumberland, 17731775
Durham Cathedral Archives (DCD) especially for medieval material relating to archdeacons
DCD/D/SJA: Archidiaconal jurisdiction, 1572 - 1705
Thorp Correspondence (THO)
The Library's printed book collections include examples of archdeacons' published visitation charges, among which are copies of the charges issued by Charles Thorp at his joint visitations of the archdeaconry of Durham and the officialty of the dean and chapter of Durham in 1832, 1833 and 1834, as well as charges by other archdeacons, including that delivered by H.W. Watkins, archdeacon of Durham, in 1883, “Our churches and our schools” (Durham, 1884), excerpts from which were printed in the Durham Diocesan Magazine, October 1884.

Related material (elsewhere)

Durham Cathedral Library: The Library's printed book collections include examples of archdeacons' published visitation charges. Items within the manuscript collections include:
Hunter MS 80:2: survey of Northumberland by Archdeacon Basire, 1663; thought by Shuler (see bibliography within Administrative Histories guide) to perhaps refer to an episcopal rather than an archidiaconal visitation
Hunter MS 137: journal of Isaac Basire, archdeacon of Northumberland, 1664-1666
Raine MS 81: archdeacon of Durham's visitation book

Northumberland Archives: Hodgson and Woodman collections include two autograph copies of a volume of church notes etc by Archdeacon Singleton of Northumberland, ca.1826-1828, with additions, ca.1841; a microfilm of the copy of the Woodman MSS version of this book (M16 B13) is available in Special Collections, reference XM/Film Misc.213. Woodman also includes a copy of Basire's 1663 survey of Northumberland (as Durham Cathedral Library above), printed in Archaeologia Aeliana, 2nd series, 17 (1895), 244-262
Newcastle City Library: visitation articles of Isaac Basire, archdeacon of Northumberland, 1662, bound with Basire's 1663 survey of Northumberland (as Durham Cathedral Library above)
Newcastle University Library: Robert White MSS include a book of acts of and visitation presentments made before Archdeacon Turner of Northumberland, c.1681-1684
Durham County Record Office: Aycliffe parish records include an archdeacon of Durham's register of visitations for 1775-1799.
Offler, H.S., “The early archdeacons in the diocese of Durham”, in Transactions of the Architectural and Archaeological Society of Derham and Northumberland (vol. 11, 1958-1965, parts 3-4)

Catalogue

Act and visitation correction books of archdeacon of Durham
Reference: DDR/A/ACD/1
Extent: 5 volumes Act books of archdeacons of Durham are also held among the Durham Cathedral archives at DCD/D/SJA, for 1572-1576 and 1660-1705 (with gaps).
Durham County Record Office holds a visitation book of the archdeacon of Durham (Samuel Dickens then Benjamin Pye) or his commissary, 1775-1799 [found with the Aycliffe, County Durham parish records]. It contains chiefly lists of clergy and churchwardens but also details of some presentments and comperta. A bound set of photocopies of this book is held in the Palace Green library search room (see catalogue entry for shelfmark).

DDR/A/ACD/1/1   March 1600-September 1619
Marked “Acts ex Offic.” Includes visitations.
Formerly referenced DDR vols/VIII/1
Fragile - unfit for production until repaired
G. Ornsby (ed), The remains of Dean Granville, D.D., dean and archdeacon of Durham ... (Surtees Society, number 47, 1865) , including (p.213-248) text of a book detailing all the cases pending in the court of the archdeacon of Durham in alphabetical order of parish, July 1673-September 1677. In 1865 the manuscript of this archdeacon's act book was in the possession of James Raine of York, and might perhaps have been included in the 1899 sale of his papers, but its present whereabouts has not yet been traced.
Microfilm available for copying, ref 5TC 130
Digitised material for Durham Diocesan Records: Act book of archdeacon of Durham, 1600-1619 - DDR/A/ACD/1/1
DDR/A/ACD/1/2   November 1903 - March 1919
Formerly referenced DDR vols 1975/xxiii
DDR/A/ACD/1/3   March 1919 - July 1929
Formerly referenced DDR vols 1975/xxiv
DDR/A/ACD/1/4   July 1929 - August 1959
Formerly referenced DDR vols 1975/xxv
DDR/A/ACD/1/5   September 1959 - March 1964
Formerly referenced DDR vols 1975/xxvi
Act and visitation books of the archdeacon of Northumberland
Reference: DDR/A/ACN/1
Dates of creation: 1619-1624
Extent: 2 volumes
The volumes cover separate deaneries as outlined below. Within each deanery section the entries are arranged by parish and chapelry. For most parishes/chapelries, the record begins in October 1619, the latest date varies considerably.
The original of this archdeacon's notebook may be the notebook of Archdeacon Thorp, said by Craster in 1912 to have been formerly in the possession of the late George Neasham, [Durham University sub-librarian], but the present whereabouts of neither the original notebook nor the copy made by Raine have yet been traced.
Formerly referenced as DDR/vols. VIII/2-3
Fawcett, J.W., “Archdeacon Thorpe's visitation of Northumberland in 1792-3”, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 4th series, 2 (1925-1926), 162-168, including (162-168) a transcript of copy made by James Raine the elder (1791-1858) from a notebook of Archdeacon Robert Thorp re his visitation of archdeaconry (but not officialty) parishes in Northumberland, ca.1792-1793
A microfilm containing both volumes is available for copying, ref 5TC 131
Digitised material for Durham Diocesan Records: Act book of the archdeacon of Northumberland, 1619-1624 - DDR/A/ACN/1/1

DDR/A/ACN/1/1   1619-1624
Marked “Acts ex. Offic. 1619 to 1620”. The first book covers the following deaneries:
f.1: Newcastle deanery
f.66: Corbridge deanery
f.126: Morpeth deanery
f.180: Alnwick deanery (part)

Loose at f.202 is an entry relating to Bingfield [in Hexhamshire, a detached part of the diocese of York], September 1611.
DDR/A/ACN/1/2
Marked “Acts ex. Offic. 1619 to 1622”. The second book includes the following acts:
f.1-9, 13-23, 67-83: Alnwick deanery (continued)
f.11-12, 84-107: Bamburgh deanery
f.10: [Consistory court] acts 'ex officio', most of them promoted cases, undated
f.24-26: [Consistory court or Officialty] acts, 1621 (all parishes mentioned were in the Officialty of the Dean and Chapter of Durham)
f.27-59: Acts of the Officialty of the Dean and Chapter of Durham
f.60-66: Visitation by a commissary of the Officialty of the Dean and Chapter of Durham

A stray folio from this volume relating to Whittingham in Alnwick deanery, 1621, is now in DDR/EJ/CCA/2/7B, consistory court act book "ex officio", 1609-1618 at f.399.
This volume is fragile, and unfit for production until repaired
Digitised material for Durham Diocesan Records: Act book of the archdeacon of Northumberland, 1619-1622 - DDR/A/ACN/1/2
Act books of the archdeacon of Auckland
Reference: DDR/A/ACA
Dates of creation: 1906-1964
Extent: 3 volumes
An earlier volume appears to have been lost, as these three volumes are marked on their front covers “No 2” , “No 3” and “No 4”.
Formerly referenced DDR vols 1975/xxvii-xxix

DDR/A/ACA/1/1   October 1906 - October 1925
DDR/A/ACA/1/2   October 1925 - January 1960
DDR/A/ACA/1/3   December 1960 - April 1964
Visitations by the archdeacon of Northumberland
DDR/A/VPN/1   undated and 1710-1882
Visitation papers
16 folders 
DDR/A/VPN/1/1   undated [18th cent.]
List of incumbents (with parishes), Morpeth and Alnwick deaneries
DDR/A/VPN/1/2   [after 16 May] 1710
Draft injunction to vicar and churchwardens of Longhoughton to provide items for church
DDR/A/VPN/1/3   25 August 1714
Draft injunction to vicar and churchwardens of Ponteland to repair church and provide items
DDR/A/VPN/1/4   Easter 1718
Account of fees received from churchwardens
DDR/A/VPN/1/5   1719
Draft blank commission for others to conduct visitation
DDR/A/VPN/1/6   Easter 1720
Account of procurations due from churchwardens
DDR/A/VPN/1/7   July 1761
List of parishes and clergy (incumbents and curates), arranged by deanery
DDR/A/VPN/1/8   November 1761
List of parishes and churchwardens, arranged by deanery
DDR/A/VPN/1/9   1830
Returns to articles for Longbenton, Newburn, Thorneyburn, Kirkhaugh, Haydon, Halton and Mitford
DDR/A/VPN/1/10   1836
Return to articles for Earsdon
DDR/A/VPN/1/11   1837
Returns to articles for Newcastle St Andrew, Newbrough, Corbridge, Chollerton, Bolam, Shilbottle and Beadnell
DDR/A/VPN/1/12   1841
Return to articles for Bothal
DDR/A/VPN/1/13   1847
Receipt book for parish fees (chiefly for parish registers and prayer [books]), with index
DDR/A/VPN/1/14   [September] 1849
Returns to articles for St John Lee (St Oswald chapelry), Alston (Garrigill chapelry) and Kirkwhelpington
DDR/A/VPN/1/15   1854
Return to articles for Benwell St James
DDR/A/VPN/1/16   22 April 1882
Return to articles for Greystead
DDR/A/VPN/2/1   1723-ca.1742
“An account of the parochial churches and chappels within the archdeaconry of Northumberland” by Thomas Sharp, archdeacon of Northumberland, based on his visitation in 1723, with later additions to ca.1742
1 volume 
Previously retained within the Bishops' Office and referenced under accession number AUC/1/169
Microfilm available for copying (ref 5TC 118)
Two other copies of this book are held by local libraries, both with later 18th-century additions which are not in the DDR volume. They are:
Visitations by the archdeacon of Lindisfarne
DDR/A/VPL/1   1845, 1874
Visitation papers
2 folders 
DDR/A/VPL/1/1   1845
Returns to articles, Berwick upon Tweed
DDR/A/VPL/1/2-3   19 July 1874
Churchwarden's declaration, Rothbury, with envelope
DDR/A/VPL/2/1   1867
Visitation charge by George Hans Hamilton, as printed library catalogue
Visitations by the archdeacon of Durham
DDR/A/VPD/1   1724-1992 (listed up to 1968 only)
Visitation papers, chiefly churchwardens' returns to visitation articles and declarations. Except as stated, files consist of returns to articles for all parishes within the archdeaconry, arranged alphabetically by deanery.
8 boxes 
Durham County Record Office holds visitation articles re archdeacon of Durham's visitation (photocopies), 1813
A book of visitations for 1697 is in Durham Cathedral Library at Raine MS 81.
DDR/A/VPD/1/1   October 1724
Names of churchwardens
DDR/A/VPD/1/2   May 1761
Names of clergy and churchwardens
DDR/A/VPD/1/3   October 1773
Returns to articles, Sadberge only (no presentments)
DDR/A/VPD/1/4   June 1775
Printed summons
DDR/A/VPD/1/5   1837
Returns to articles, Sunderland St John only
DDR/A/VPD/1/6   1846
Returns to articles, Staindrop only
DDR/A/VPD/1/7   1847
Receipt books for parish fees, Easington, Chester, Darlington and Stockton deaneries
DDR/A/VPD/1/8   1853
Returns to articles, Jarrow only
DDR/A/VPD/1/9   1871
Churchwarden's declaration, Witton-le-Wear only
DDR/A/VPD/1/10   1900
Returns to articles, Greenside and West Pelton only
DDR/A/VPD/1/11   1904
Returns to articles, Lumley only
DDR/A/VPD/1/12   1942
DDR/A/VPD/1/13   1943
DDR/A/VPD/1/14   1944
DDR/A/VPD/1/15   1946
DDR/A/VPD/1/16-19   1949
Returns to articles, together with copies of 1948 parochial accounts
4 files 
DDR/A/VPD/1/19A   1952, 1954-1955, 1959
Returns to articles, Beamish only
DDR/A/VPD/1/20   1953
Procedural note
DDR/A/VPD/1/21   1956
Summons to Blackhill churchwardens
Formerly referenced as Stranks Papers 1
DDR/A/VPD/1/21A   1956-1966
Blank visitation articles (various years) and printed summons to clergy and churchwardens (1966)
DDR/A/VPD/1/21B   1959-1963
Returns to articles from Birtley (1959), Jarrow Grange (1960) and Whickham (1963) only
DDR/A/VPD/1/22   1964
Procedural note, list of clergy signatures, returns to articles
DDR/A/VPD/1/23   1965
Procedural notes, printed summons, returns to articles
DDR/A/VPD/1/24   1966
Procedural note
DDR/A/VPD/1/25   1967
Procedural note, list of clergy signatures, returns to articles from Chopwell, Brancepeth, Durham St Giles, Shincliffe, Witton Gilbert, Easington Colliery, Trimdon Grange, Dalton-le-Dale, Bishopwearmouth Christ Church and Bishopwearmouth St Mary with St Peter only
DDR/A/VPD/1/26   1968
Procedural note, list of clergy signatures, returns to articles
DDR/A/VPD/2   1970-1993
Visitation charges
1 folder 
This material is available for access without any closure period.
DDR/A/VPD/2/1   1970
Manuscript. On the role of the archdeacon in formulating policy and helping its administration, on the duties of churchwardens, and on the 1960s and 1970s (mentioning Honest to God)
DDR/A/VPD/2/2   1971
Manuscript. On getting to know his archdeaconry, churchyards, parsonage houses, clergy numbers and the electoral roll
DDR/A/VPD/2/3-4   1972
Typescript, with published summary (from ? The Bishoprick). Delivered in Houghton-le-Sprint church, to parishes of Houghton deanery. On tensions between the old and the new
DDR/A/VPD/2/5   1973
Manuscript. On the family of the church, the crises of belief, spirituality and history in the church (mentioning Trevor Beeson, The Church of England in crisis), and the crises of clergy, money and buildings
DDR/A/VPD/2/6   1974
Manuscript. On changes in visitation arrangements since 1930s, on PCC finances and on ministry
DDR/A/VPD/2/7   1975
Manuscript. On changes to arrangements for returns to visitation articles, fire insurance, quinquennial surveys of churches, the church inventory, parish life and a parish evangelistic policy, and the Sheffied Report (on clergy numbers)
DDR/A/VPD/2/8-9   1976
Manuscript. Delivered in cathedral, mentioning his trip to New Zealand. On the Church of England nationally, the archbishops' Call to the Nation, diocesan study courses, ministry and training (clergy and lay), dying churches and synodical government. With prayer card issued by archbishop of Canterbury in relation to national economy and its spiritual condition
DDR/A/VPD/2/10-12   1977
Manuscript, with typescript copy (with covering letter) and printed edition (apparently from Winlaton parish magazine). On diocesan and national support for the parson, church building, christian education, specialist ministries and the parish quota
DDR/A/VPD/2/13-14   1978
Manuscript, with typescript copy. On parish log books, electoral rolls, the Parochial Registers and Records Measure, parish expenses, building repairs and upgrades, churchyards and notice boards
DDR/A/VPD/2/15   1979
Manuscript. On finances, quota by potential and stewardship, synodical government (mentioning ordination of women), rural deaneries, faculties and the DAC (mentioning state aid for repairs), and clergy numbers (mentioning non-stipendiary ministry and the Sheffield formula)
DDR/A/VPD/2/16   1980
Manuscript. On liturgical changes and the Alternative Service Book
DDR/A/VPD/2/17   1981
Typescript. On commitment, money and costs of stipends, parsonage repairs etc
DDR/A/VPD/2/18   1982
Typescript, with covering letter. On the ongoing review of faculty jurisdiction, with description of those involved and of faculty procedures
DDR/A/VPD/2/19   1983
Manuscript entitled, The way ahead. On diocesan support for church growth, St Cuthbert, national movements, a study course on prayer and a festival eucharist planned for June 2015
DDR/A/VPD/2/20   1985
Manuscript. With reference to controversy [over statements by Bishop David Jenkins], and on the nature of the church
DDR/A/VPD/2/21   1986
Manuscript. On the visitation articles, how they are compiled and why the questions are asked, with particular reference to questions about the Data Protection Act, inventory and insurance, and the Swanwick conference for diocesan clergy and accredited lay workers
DDR/A/VPD/2/22   7 June 1986
Manuscript. Charge for deaneries of Durham and Easington. On falling numbers of clergy and congregations, extra-parochial ministry, ecumenism, non-stipendiary ministry, women's ministry and lay ministry
DDR/A/VPD/2/23-24   1987
Manuscript and printed. On patronage, parochial expenses and faculty jurisdiction
DDR/A/VPD/2/25   27 June 1987
Short typescript address for Churchwardens' Day, Lanchester and Gateshead West deaneries. On vocation and ministry
DDR/A/VPD/2/26   1989
Manuscript, with printed copies of cartoons (apparently used as slides). On operation of the new Patronage (Benefices) Measure (with group exercises)
DDR/A/VPD/2/27   1990
Manuscript. On Continuing Ministerial Education, vocation and ministry (with reference to Peter Baelz, Call to Order and ACCM), faculties and the ecclesiastical exemption from Listed Building Consent
DDR/A/VPD/2/28   13 May 1990
Short manuscript address for churchwardens' training day, Gateshead West and Lanchester deaneries, at Rowlands Gill St Barnabas. On Christian service
DDR/A/VPD/2/29   10 June 1990
Short manuscript address for churchwardens' training day, Gateshead and Jarrow deaneries, at East Boldon St George. On different ministries
DDR/A/VPD/2/30   1991
Manuscript. On the visitation articles, whom they are formally addressed to, presentments, insurances, the pending Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure in relation to the terrier, inventory and churchwardens' annual report, proposals for a new archdeaconry of Jarrow, expected decrease in clergy numbers and increase in quota in 1992, and the Decade of Evangelism
DDR/A/VPD/2/31   17 May 1992
Short manuscript address for Churchwardens' Day, Wearmouth and Easington deaneries, at Grangetown St Aidan. On falling clergy numbers and lay ministry.
DDR/A/VPD/2/32-33   1992
Two printed copies. On reduced funding for clergy stipends, reduced clergy numbers under the Sheffield formula (abandoning plans for new archdeaconry), and lay ministry
DDR/A/VPD/2/34   22 May 1993
Printed visitation charge by Chancellor Rupert Bursell, at cathedral. On the role and duties of churchwardens
DDR/A/VPD/3
Additional reports on the archdeaconry
DDR/A/VPD/3/1   1824
“Report of church accommodation in the diocese of Durham”, compiled for the bishop of Durham by Charles Thorp, official [or deputy] to the archdeacon of Durham. Includes population and church accommodation figures, plus remarks on some parishes, arranged by deanery. Loose inside the notebook is a covering letter from Charles Thorp to the bishop of Durham, dated 4 February 1825.
1 notebook (boxed) 
Previously retained within the Bishops' Office and referenced under accession number AUC/1/179
Durham Cathedral Library, Add MSS 82-85: four volumes of church plans drawn to accompany this report
DDR/A/VPD/3/2   ca.1861
Volume akin to a diocese book (giving particulars of livings, see DDR/EV/VIS/7 for others) for the archdeaconry of Durham and the officialty of the dean and chapter of Durham, compiled by [Charles Thorp, archdeacon of Durham and official of the officialty]. Includes index to benefices (arranged by deanery) at front.
The entries take the form of answers to nine questions, viz:
1. name of parish
2. number of townships/villages
3. acreage
4. population in 1851
5. present population, whether grouped or scattered, distance from church
6. church accommodation
7. whether any school rooms are available for services
8. number of clergy and how paid/supported
9. value (gross and net of curates' stipends)

1 volume 
Previously retained within the Bishops' Office and referenced as accession number AUC/1/177
DDR/A/VPD/3/3   September 1988
Analysis of replies to archdeacons' visitation questionnaire on Christian Stewardship, with summary conclusions by Diocesan Stewardship Officer
1 item (boxed) 
Visitations by the archdeacon of Auckland
DDR/A/VPA/1   1942-1992
Visitation papers, chiefly churchwardens' returns to visitation articles and declarations.
7 boxes 
DDR/A/VPA/1/1-18   1942-1949, 1964-1969 and 1974
Except as stated, these files include returns to articles for all parishes within the archdeaconry, arranged alphabetically by deanery.
DDR/A/VPA/1/1   1942
DDR/A/VPA/1/2   1943
DDR/A/VPA/1/3   1944
DDR/A/VPA/1/4   1945
DDR/A/VPA/1/5   1946
Procedural note and returns to articles
DDR/A/VPA/1/6   1947
DDR/A/VPA/1/7   1948
A few returns include tables of parochial fees.
DDR/A/VPA/1/8-10   1949
Returns to articles, together with copies of 1948 parochial accounts
3 files 
DDR/A/VPA/1/11   1958
One blank return only
Formerly referenced as Stranks Papers 2/110
DDR/A/VPA/1/12   1964
Procedural note, list of clergy signatures and returns to articles. Return from West Hartlepool St Aidan includes copy of correspondence with Ecclesiastical Insurance Office
DDR/A/VPA/1/13   1965
Procedural note and returns to articles
DDR/A/VPA/1/14   1966
Procedural note, list of clergy signatures and returns to articles
DDR/A/VPA/1/15   April-June 1967
Procedural note and returns to articles
Most formerly referenced as Stranks Papers 2/1-109
DDR/A/VPA/1/16   1968
Procedural note, list of clergy signatures and returns to articles
DDR/A/VPA/1/17   1969

DDR/A/VPA/1/18   1974
Returns to a visitation held by rural deans under authority of bishop of Durham, during vacancy in archdeaconry of Auckland
DDR/A/VPA/1/19-37   1970-1988 (with gaps)
Auckland deanery
½ box 
For 1974 visitation returns, see file DDR/A/VPA/1/18. For returns from Fir Tree (Howden-le-Wear), Hunwick, Sunnybrow and Willington (transferred into Stanhope deanery 1995), see under DDR/A/VPA/1/104-120. For returns from Croxdale (then in Durham archdeaconry, but transferred into Auckland archdeaconry about 1993), see under DDR/A/VPD/1.
DDR/A/VPA/1/19   1970-1972, 1975-1988
Auckland St Andrew with St Anne
DDR/A/VPA/1/20   1970, 1972, 1975-1978, 1980, 1982-1986
Auckland St Helen
DDR/A/VPA/1/21   1970-1972, 1975-1984, 1986-1988
Auckland St Peter
DDR/A/VPA/1/22   1970, 1972, 1975-1978, 1980-1984, 1986-1988
Byers Green St Peter
DDR/A/VPA/1/23   1970-1972, 1975-1979, 1981-1988
Coundon St James
DDR/A/VPA/1/24   1970-1972, 1975-1988
Eldon St Mark
DDR/A/VPA/1/25   1970-1972, 1975-1984, 1986-1988
Escomb Saxon Church
DDR/A/VPA/1/26   1970-1972, 1975-1988
Etherley St Cuthbert
DDR/A/VPA/1/27   1970-1972, 1975-1985, 1986-1988
Hamsterley St James
DDR/A/VPA/1/28   1970-1972, 1975-1988
Merrington St John the Evangelist
DDR/A/VPA/1/29   1970-1972, 1975-1984, 1986-1988
New Shildon All Saints
DDR/A/VPA/1/30   1970-1972, 1975-1981, 1983-1984, 1986-1988
Shildon St John
DDR/A/VPA/1/31   1970-1972, 1975-1976, 1978-1988
Spennymoor St Paul
DDR/A/VPA/1/32   1970-1972, 1975-1984, 1986-1988
Tudhoe St David
DDR/A/VPA/1/33   1970-1972, 1975-1988
Tudhoe Grange St Andrew
DDR/A/VPA/1/34   1970-1972, 1975-1982, 1986-1988
Whitworth
DDR/A/VPA/1/35   1970-1972, 1975-1980, 1982, 1984-1985
Witton-le-Wear St Philip and St James
DDR/A/VPA/1/36   1970-1972, 1975-1984, 1986-1988
Witton Park St Paul
DDR/A/VPA/1/37   1985-1988
Woodhouse Close Conventional District
DDR/A/VPA/1/38-50   1970-1988 (with gaps)
Barnard Castle deanery
0.5 box 
For 1974 visitation returns, see file DDR/A/VPA/1/18.
DDR/A/VPA/1/38   1970-1972, 1975-1988
Barnard Castle St Mary
DDR/A/VPA/1/39   1970-1972, 1975-1988
Cockfield St Mary
DDR/A/VPA/1/40   1970-1972, 1975-1988
Denton St Mary
DDR/A/VPA/1/41   1970-1972, 1975-1988
Eggleston Holy Trinity
DDR/A/VPA/1/42   1970-1972, 1976-1988
Evenwood St Paul
DDR/A/VPA/1/43   1970-1972, 1975-1982, 1984-1988
Forest and Frith St James the Less
DDR/A/VPA/1/44   1970-1972, 1975-1988
Gainford St Mary
DDR/A/VPA/1/45   1970-1972, 1975-1988
Ingleton St John the Evangelist
DDR/A/VPA/1/46   1970-1972, 1975-1988
Lynesack St John the Evangelist
DDR/A/VPA/1/47   1970-1972, 1975-1988
Middleton in Teesdale St Mary
DDR/A/VPA/1/48   1970-1972, 1975-1988
Staindrop St Mary
DDR/A/VPA/1/49   1970-1972, 1975-1988
Whorlton St Mary
DDR/A/VPA/1/50   1970-1972, 1975-1988
Winston St Andrew
DDR/A/VPA/1/51-69   1970-1988 (with gaps)
Darlington deanery
For 1974 visitation returns, see file DDR/A/VPA/1/18.
DDR/A/VPA/1/51   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Cockerton St Mary
DDR/A/VPA/1/52   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Coniscliffe St Edwin
DDR/A/VPA/1/53   1970, 1972, 1975-1976 and 1978-1988
Darlington Holy Trinity
DDR/A/VPA/1/54   1980-1981 and 1983-1984
Darlington St Columba
DDR/A/VPA/1/55   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Darlington St Cuthbert
DDR/A/VPA/1/56   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Darlington St Hilda and St Columba (formerly just St Hilda)
DDR/A/VPA/1/57   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Darlington St James
DDR/A/VPA/1/58   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Darlington St Mark with St Paul (formerly just St Mark). Includes letter to archdeacon from incumbent mainly re Women's Fellowship, 18 September 1993.
DDR/A/VPA/1/59   1970-1972 and 1975-1978
Darlington St Luke
DDR/A/VPA/1/60   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Darlington St Matthew and St Luke (formerly just St Matthew)
DDR/A/VPA/1/61   1970-1972
Darlington St Paul
DDR/A/VPA/1/62   1970, 1972 and 1975-1988
Dinsdale St John the Baptist
DDR/A/VPA/1/63   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
East Darlington St John and St Herbert
DDR/A/VPA/1/64   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Haughton-le-Skerne St Andrew
DDR/A/VPA/1/65   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Heighington St Michael
DDR/A/VPA/1/66   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Hurworth All Saints
DDR/A/VPA/1/67   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Middleton St George St George
DDR/A/VPA/1/68   1970-1972, 1976 and 1978-1988
Sadberge St Andrew
DDR/A/VPA/1/69   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Sockburn Girsby All Saints
DDR/A/VPA/1/70-82   1970-1992 (with gaps)
Hartlepool deanery
For 1974 visitation returns, see file DDR/A/VPA/1/18.
DDR/A/VPA/1/70   1970-1972 and 1975-1992
Elwick Hall
DDR/A/VPA/1/71   1970-1972, 1975-1989 and 1991-1992
Greatham
DDR/A/VPA/1/72   1970-1972 and 1975-1992
Hart
DDR/A/VPA/1/73   1970-1972
Hartlepool Christ Church
DDR/A/VPA/1/74   1970, 1972, 1975 and 1977-1992
Hartlepool Holy Trinity
DDR/A/VPA/1/75   1970-1972 and 1975-1992
Hartlepool St Aidan
DDR/A/VPA/1/76   1970-1972 and 1975-1992
Hartlepool St Hilda
DDR/A/VPA/1/77   1970-1972 and 1975-1992
Hartlepool St Luke
DDR/A/VPA/1/78   1970, 1972 and 1975-1992
Hartlepool St Oswald
DDR/A/VPA/1/79   1970-1972 and 1975-1992
Hartlepool St Paul
DDR/A/VPA/1/80   1970-1972 and 1975-1992
Owton Manor
DDR/A/VPA/1/81   1970-1972 and 1976-1992
Seaton Carew
DDR/A/VPA/1/82   1970-1972 and 1975-1992
Stranton All Saints
DDR/A/VPA/1/83-94   1970-1978 (with gaps)
Parishes from various deaneries (all transferred into Sedgefield deanery in 1979)
For 1974 visitation returns, see file DDR/A/VPA/1/18.
DDR/A/VPA/1/83   1970-1972 and 1975-1978
Aycliffe St Andrew (Darlington deanery)
DDR/A/VPA/1/84   1970-1972 and 1975-1978
Bishop Middleham (Stockton deanery)
DDR/A/VPA/1/85   1970-1978
Cassop cum Quarrington (Easington deanery)
DDR/A/VPA/1/86   1970-1978
Chilton (Easington deanery)
DDR/A/VPA/1/87   1970-1978
Coxhoe (Easington deanery)
DDR/A/VPA/1/88   1970-1977
Deaf Hill cum Langdale (Easington deanery)
DDR/A/VPA/1/89   1970-1978
Ferryhill (Easington deanery)
DDR/A/VPA/1/90   1970-1978
Kelloe (Easington deanery)
DDR/A/VPA/1/91   1970-1972 and 1975-1978
Newton Aycliffe St Clare (Darlington deanery)
DDR/A/VPA/1/92   1970-1972 and 1975-1978
Sedgefield (Stockton deanery)
DDR/A/VPA/1/93   1970-1978
Trimdon St Mary Magdalene (Easington deanery)
DDR/A/VPA/1/94   1970-1975 and 1977-1978
Trimdon Station St Alban and St Paul, formerly Trimdon Grange St Alban (Easington deanery)
DDR/A/VPA/1/95-105   1979-1992 (with gaps)
Sedgefield deanery (formed 1979)
DDR/A/VPA/1/95   1979 and 1982-1992
Aycliffe St Andrew
DDR/A/VPA/1/96   1979-1992
Bishop Middleham
DDR/A/VPA/1/97   1979-1992
Cassop cum Quarrington
DDR/A/VPA/1/98   1979-1992
Chilton
DDR/A/VPA/1/99   1979-1992
Coxhoe
DDR/A/VPA/1/100   1979-1992
Ferryhill
DDR/A/VPA/1/101   1979-1992
Kelloe
DDR/A/VPA/1/102   1979-1992
Newton Aycliffe St Clare
DDR/A/VPA/1/103   1979-1989 and 1991-1992
Sedgefield
DDR/A/VPA/1/104   1979-1992
Trimdon St Mary Magdalene
DDR/A/VPA/1/105   1979-1986 and 1988-1992
Trimdon Station St Alban and St Paul
DDR/A/VPA/1/106-122   1970-1988 (with gaps)
Stanhope deanery
Includes returns from the following churches, which were at the time within the deanery of Auckland (transferred into Stanhope deanery in 1995): Fir Tree St Mary the Virgin (Howden-le-Wear), Hunwick St Paul, Sunnybrow St John and Willington St Stephen. For returns from Edmundbyers and Muggleswick (then in Stanhope deanery, but transferred into Lanchester deanery within Durham archdeaconry in 1982, and into Newcastle diocese in 1990), see DDR/A/VPA/1/148-149.
For 1974 visitation returns, see file DDR/A/VPA/1/18.
DDR/A/VPA/1/106   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Crook St Catherine
DDR/A/VPA/1/107   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Eastgate All Saints
DDR/A/VPA/1/108   1970, 1972, 1975, 1977-1978, 1981-1983, 1985 and 1987-1988
Fir Tree St Mary the Virgin
DDR/A/VPA/1/109   1970, 1972 and 1975-1988
Frosterley St Michael and All Angels
DDR/A/VPA/1/110   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Heatherycleugh St Thomas
DDR/A/VPA/1/111   1970, 1972, 1975-1984 and 1986-1988
Hunwick St Paul
DDR/A/VPA/1/112   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Rookhope St John the Evangelist
DDR/A/VPA/1/113   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
St John's Chapel St John the Baptist
DDR/A/VPA/1/114   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Satley St Cuthbert
DDR/A/VPA/1/115   1970-1971 and 1975-1988
Stanhope St Thomas
DDR/A/VPA/1/116   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Stanley St Thomas
DDR/A/VPA/1/117   1970 and 1972
Sunnybrow St John
DDR/A/VPA/1/118   1970-1972, 1975-1980 and 1982-1988
Thornley St Bartholomew (Wolsingham)
DDR/A/VPA/1/119   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Tow Law St Philip and St James
DDR/A/VPA/1/120   1970, 1972, 1975-1985 and 1987-1988
Westgate St Andrew
DDR/A/VPA/1/121   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Willington St Stephen
DDR/A/VPA/1/122   1970, 1972 and 1975-1988
Wolsingham St Mary and St Stephen
DDR/A/VPA/1/123-147   1970-1988 (with gaps)
Stockton deanery
For 1974 visitation returns, see file DDR/A/VPA/1/18.
DDR/A/VPA/1/123   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Billingham St Aidan and St Luke (formerly Billingham St Aidan)
DDR/A/VPA/1/124   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Billingham St Cuthbert
DDR/A/VPA/1/125   1970-1972, 1975 and 1977-1987
Bishopton St Peter
DDR/A/VPA/1/126   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Egglescliffe St John the Baptist
DDR/A/VPA/1/127   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Elton St John
DDR/A/VPA/1/128   1970-1972, 1975-1977 and 1979-1988
Great Stainton All Saints
DDR/A/VPA/1/129   1970-1972, 1975, 1977 and 1979-1988
Grindon St James
DDR/A/VPA/1/130   1970-1972
Haverton Hill
DDR/A/VPA/1/131   1970-1972, 1975-1978 and 1980-1988
Longnewton St Mary
DDR/A/VPA/1/132   1970-1972, 1975-1978 and 1980-1988
Norton St Mary the Virgin
DDR/A/VPA/1/133   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Norton St Michael and All Angels
DDR/A/VPA/1/134   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Preston All Saints
DDR/A/VPA/1/135   1970-1972, 1975-1982 and 1984-1988
Redmarshall St Cuthbert
DDR/A/VPA/1/136   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Stillington St John
DDR/A/VPA/1/137   1970-1972 and 1975-1982
Stockton Holy Trinity (Yarm Lane)
DDR/A/VPA/1/138   1983-1988
Stockton Holy Trinity Greenvale (Fairfield)
DDR/A/VPA/1/139   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Stockton St Chad
DDR/A/VPA/1/140   1970-1972, 1976-1978 and 1980-1988
Stockton St James
DDR/A/VPA/1/141   1970-1972 and 1975-1978
Stockton St John the Baptist (Alma Street)
DDR/A/VPA/1/142   1979-1988
Stockton St John the Baptist (Durham Road)
DDR/A/VPA/1/143   1971-1972, 1975-1985 and 1987-1988
Stockton St Mark
DDR/A/VPA/1/144   1970-1972, 1975-1980 and 1982-1988
Stockton St Paul
DDR/A/VPA/1/145   1970-1972, 1975-1977, 1979-1982 and 1984-1988
Stockton St Peter
DDR/A/VPA/1/146   1970-1972, 1976-1977 and 1979-1988
Stockton St Thomas
DDR/A/VPA/1/147   1970-1972 and 1975-1988
Wolviston St Peter
DDR/A/VPA/1/148-149   1970-1982 (with gaps)
Edmundbyers and Muggleswick (Stanhope deanery). These two parishes were transferred into Lanchester deanery (Durham archdeaconry) in 1982, and thence into Newcastle diocese in 1990.
For 1974 visitation returns, see file DDR/A/VPA/1/18. For other visitation returns from Stanhope deanery, see DDR/A/VPA/1/106-122.
DDR/A/VPA/1/148   1970-1972, 1975-1982
Edmundbyers
DDR/A/VPA/1/149   1970-1972, 1975-1982
Muggleswick
DDR/A/VPA/2/1   1996
Visitation charge
DDR/A/VPA/3/1   1995-1996
Report on questionnaire about visitation arrangements and on issues raised at churchwardens' evenings with archdeacon
DDR/A/VPA/4   2000-2010
Visitation papers (minister's and churchwardens' returns to visitation articles, arranged by deanery (Auckland, Barnard Castle, Darlington, Stanhope and Stockton) and alphabetically by parish within each deanery
3 boxes 
Visitations by the archdeacon of Sunderland
Reference: DDR/A/VPS
Dates of creation: 1993-2007
DDR/A/VPG
This reference was previously allotted to archidiaconal visitation papers that did not belong to a single archdeaconry. The only item included within this series is now listed above under DDR/A/VPD/2.
Churchwardens' elections and admittances
Dates of creation: 1916-1989
DDR/A/CHW/1   1916 and 1936
Certificates of churchwardens' elections, archdeaconries of Durham and Auckland
Most are numbered (in a separate sequence for each year). Not yet sorted within years.
1 box 
DDR/A/CHW/2   1933-1989
Registers of admittances (churchwardens' call books), archdeaconry of Durham
4 volumes 
DDR/A/CHW/2/1   1933-1943 (none for 1936)
DDR/A/CHW/2/2   1944-1959
DDR/A/CHW/2/3   1960-1978
DDR/A/CHW/2/4   1979-1989
Includes (loose in volume) typescript list of instructions for admission of churchwardens
DDR/A/CHW/3   1925-1984
Registers of admittances (churchwardens' call books), archdeaconry of Auckland
4 volumes 
DDR/A/CHW/3/1   1925-1937 (none for 1936)
DDR/A/CHW/3/2   1938-1947
DDR/A/CHW/3/3   1948-1968
DDR/A/CHW/3/4   1969-1984
Includes (loose in volume) typescript list of instructions for admission of churchwardens
Correspondence, papers and miscellanea
Chiefly relating to visitation arrangements and churchwardens' admittances

DDR/A/COR/1/1   1932-1941
Copy out-letter book of archdeacons' registrar, archdeaconries of Durham and Auckland. With index to correspondents at front.
1 volume 
Formerly referenced as DDR vols 1975/xix
DDR/A/COR/2   1948-1987
Correspondence files, archdeaconry of Durham
ca.2 boxes 
DDR/A/COR/3   1948-1997
Correspondence files, archdeaconry of Auckland
ca.2 boxes 
DDR/A/COR/4   1978-1997
General correspondence, papers and miscellanea relating to the archdeaconries of both Durham and Auckland, together with a copy of the archdeacon of Blackburn's visitation articles, 1954
Registers of Inductions
DDR/A/IND/1   1903-1964
Registers, numbered 2-5, containing copies of induction mandates received by the archdeacon of Durham and of the certifications of their execution
4 volumes 
DDR/A/IND/2   1906-1964
Registers, numbered 2-4, containing copies of similar material relating to the archdeacon of Auckland
3 volumes 
General papers from archdeacons
Reference: DDR/A/GEN
Dates of creation:
Extent:


DDR/A/GEN/1   2000-2001
Millennium survey of church buildings, undertaken by the Archdeacon of Auckland on behalf of the Bishop of Durham. Includes responses to questionnaires by parishes, with notes on the fabric, repair of each building, other nearby church buildings (Anglican and other), lists of services and details of other usage by church or other groups. Also includes some duplicates [to be reviewed or destroyed] and computer printouts, and copies of church histories and guides.
Arranged by deanery, with some separate files of printouts and administrative papers
Includes 1995 Mothers' Union handbook (perhaps used to identify church contacts, or a stray) and 2000 Sunderland Minster school project files (perhaps submitted as exemplars as part of the survey)
6 boxes